UConn's Kia Nurse Leads Canadian Comeback Over Serbia

Canada outscored Serbia 26-10 in the fourth quarter to cap off a 71-67 comeback victory in each team’s second Group B women’s basketball prelim. Canada’s offense flowed through UConn Huskies junior, Kia Nurse, who finished the game with 25 points and several key late assists.

Both teams found their scoring groove early. While Serbia’s offense was handled primarily by the duo of Jelena Milovanovic and Sonja Petrovic, Canada’s attack was more balanced in the early goings.

After entering the second quarter tied 21-21, Serbia began to pull away, leading by as many as 10 points mid-way through the quarter. At halftime the Serbians led 40-32.

They extended the lead early on in the second half, sprinting to a 9-0 run in the first four minutes to open up a 17 point lead. Then Nurse, the only Canadian to score in double figures, took over.

A terrific combination of shot-making and defense allowed the Canadians to bring the score level four minute into the fourth quarter. With less than a minute to go, Canada took the ball down the court with a one-point lead. Nurse began the play, penetrating to the basket on her left side, drawing the attention of three Serbian defenders. Nurse then kicked the ball to the wing where Miah-Marie Langlois buried the dagger three-pointer, her only points of the game.

Canada, now in great shape to advance to elimination play with two wins in as many games, will play Senegal on Wednesday. Serbia likely have to wait one more game for their first win as they face an undefeated and unchallenged United States at 2:30 pm ET on Wednesday.

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